The following is a list of questions The Republican/MassLive.com sent to each gubernatorial candidate this election season, with their responses, verbatim, as submitted. This post and the others like it are part of the news organization's intention to deliver the candidates' views straight to the voters to help inform their decisions on Election Day.

The answers of Tea party Republican Mark Fisher, one of two GOP candidates running to become the next governor of Massachusetts, are below.

Unemployment continues to be a problem in the western part of the state. What would you do to create jobs in Western Massachusetts?

My role as Governor is to make MA, as a whole, business friendly, and I will do this through my four point program of lowering the corporate tax rate to make it comparable with those States to which businesses are leaving; eliminating the over burdensome rules and regulations that also drive businesses out of MA; eliminating the taxpayer funding of “Fad” industries like Evergreen Solar which closed its doors and moved to China after receiving 58 million of tax payer dollars and cost 800 people their jobs; eliminate the obscure inventory tax that prevents large distribution centers from taking advantage of our central location in New England. Distribution centers will bring with them material handling, logistics, administrative and transportation jobs.

Local areas will need to then make use of this raising tide and promote for themselves the advantages of their particular areas.

Springfield will be the host city for MGM’s resort casino, unless the state’s gambling law is repealed. How will you vote on the ballot question that would repeal the state’s casino gambling law?

I will vote for the repeal of the Casino gambling law. We would not have had discussion about casinos if MA had been a business friendly state in the first place. I intend to make MA business friendly and replace would-be casino jobs with more productive and higher paying jobs.

What more can be done to lower rates of homelessness in Massachusetts and move homeless families out of hotels and motels?

Once again, we need a huge influx of jobs so that people can have the means to afford a rent or a mortgage. Putting people back to work will reduce the level of homelessness in MA.

What role, if any, does the state have in helping cities and towns resettle refugees?

True refugees (not those who break the law and come here illegally) present a problem for the world. The US, on a federal level, needs a sound policy to determine the number of refugees that can be allowed entry into the country. Once granted entry, MA will welcome refugees and provide them with the opportunity to become productive residents of the state. They should not be discriminated against in any way.

Those who break and entry into this country and reside in MA are another story. Illegal Immigration is illegal. I have advocated for the removal of all benefits for illegals so that they will self-deport to the next sanctuary state. Maine Governor LePage has just begun doing this. I will do the same. Our current illegal population of over 200,000 has made our cities and towns dysfunctional. Enough is enough!

What, if any, additional gun laws would you support and how would you balance the need to lower gun violence with Second Amendment rights?

We have some of the strictest gun laws in the country. MA does not need any further gun laws. We need to enforce the laws we have, and keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

The MA requirement for having an FID card to own pepper spray was just relaxed. This is a good measure which allows the vulnerable to protect themselves.

I worked at Savage Arms in Westfield and built my own shotgun. When I received my FID card there were 98 laws, anyone of which was broken prohibited the legal ownership of a gun in MA. That being the case, if you want a good neighbor find yourself a law-abiding gun owner because they have to be squeaking clean!

Should local aid to cities and towns be increased, decreased or remain level?

Obviously, local aid needs to be increased because local costs are increasing. We need to raise revenues by MA business friendly and getting people back onto payrolls so that income tax revenues will go up and provide the funds necessary for increases in local aid.

Do you support expanding passenger rail between Boston and Springfield?

Yes –but only if a study shows that it is something the citizens want and are willing to pay for. If riders are willing to pay the costs that will sustain such an expansion let’s build it. The MA turnpike is a great example of a self-sustaining project. All the revenues from billboards, gas stations and restaurants provide more than enough to pay for the yearly maintenance on the Pike and then generate $20 million in excess each and every year. This should be the template for all new transportation projects.

Should the cap on charter schools be lifted?

Yes, along with a school voucher program that gives more choice to parents who need it. Indiana is an example of a state that has led the way with a great school voucher program. I will use lessons learned from Indiana to implement a similar program in MA.

Do you support or oppose the proposed Kinder Morgan gas pipeline?

I believe that natural gas is a great option for the future of power plants in MA. I’ve worked at both coal and nuclear power plants. We need to balance the need for more and cleaner energy options with the concerns of citizens whose properties will be impacted. I want to make should that citizens are involved in the process and that any pipeline is not imposed upon them.

Do you support or oppose requiring businesses to provide earned sick time to full-time employees?

Earned sick time is something between an employee and an employer. As employers offer more benefits they will attract employees away from those employers which offer fewer benefits. The market place will then adjust. Employers wishing to recruit and retain good employees will have to match industries standards with regard to pay and other compensation. Free market forces should be allowed to work in this regard.

Look at what happened when the State determined the wages of toll takers on the Pike. A fairly minimal skill job pays on average $80,000 per year with great benefits. The highest paid toll taker earned, with overtime, $130,000 two years ago. Let’s keep the State out of areas that should be determined through the Free Market.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Please visit my campaign website and click on the issues tab to learn where I stand on all the issues.